Installation instructions

Microwave Parabolic Antennas

4.6m (15 ft)

NMT 211-05 (e)

These installation instructions are valid for antennas in the following versions : 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 reflector 4.6 m (15 ft), 2 segments of reflector are separated for transportation waveguide feed, single or dual polarized. steel pipe mount for installation on pipe 219 mm. antenna center offset to the right, offset to the left is also possible, after rotation of frame safety collar to prevent slipping of antenna during alignment 2 spindles for fine adjustment of elevation and azimuth of 5 each 4 swaybars, length 3 m. reflector (P-type) reflector with shroud, shroud aperture covered by a radome (U- and D-types)

It is important to mount the antenna exactly as described in these installation instructions. The installed antenna shall be inspected once per year by QUALIFIED personnel. RFS disclaims all responsibility for the result of improper or unsafe installation. These installation instructions have been written for qualified, skilled personnel.
We reserve the right to alter details, especially with respect to technical improvement.

Sales department : Radio Frequency Systems GmbH Kabelkamp 20, D-30179 Hannover (Germany)Tel. +49-511 676-25 20 Fax +49-511 676-25 21 Plant: RFS France Trignac Fax +33 02 40 90 41 43

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1. Tools required for installation

Tools are not included in the delivery except the set of hoisting ropes (see fig.2) 1 crane for approximately 10 kN ropes water level, compass, tape measure nail puller boxend and socket wrenches for hexagon nuts and bolts : M6 (10), M8 (13), M10 (17), M12 (19), M14 (22), M16 (24), M20 (30), M24 (36) (values in brackets = openings of spanners) torque wrench from 0,5 to 25 daNm nail set or punch for 6 mm

Figure 1 : 15 ft antenna packing, always consisting of 2 crates

lifting eye shackle, 4.75t Rope for hoisting eye at reflector TOP : Directive antennas L=390mm Standard antennas L=550mm

3 ropes, L=2190mm, for left and right brackets and elevation flange

4 shackles, 2t

Figure 2 : Set of hoisting ropes, included with each antenna

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2. Uncrating
Remove all nails from the cover and side plates of the 2 crates. These plates will be used later to prepare the assembly platform. Attach a crane to the side hoisting eye of the reflector, then remove the remaining fastenings and bolts. Carefully hoist the reflector free of the crate and let it hang on the hook tackle until the assembly platform has been prepared as in 4.

3. General preparations
For easy operation of bolted joints, Anti Seize Installation Paste should be applied to all threads of bolts and fine adjustment spindles. After this, keep the lubricated threads free of dust and dirt! Please note handtighten. When installing the antenna, some special bolt sets secured with self locking nuts (sl-nuts) may only be tightened by hand, but not locked with a wrench. These bolt sets will be operated when directing the antenna and should be locked only after this has been completed. Please watch for the notes handtighten in the figures!

4. Reflector assembly
Choose a flat and even area near the tower to assemble the antenna. Position the plates, detached from the crates, on the ground and cover them with some foam. Place the reflector onto this base, trapezoidal ring down, remove the side hoisting eye, and mount : - the 2 reflector segments, left and right, using joining plates and bolt sets M6x20 - the 4 reflector joint profiles of the aperture ring with bolt sets M8x30

Side hoisting eye

TOP hoisting eye

NMT 211-05 (e)

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reflector segments : bolts M6x20 2 flat washers 6.4 sl nuts M6

Reflector joint profiles : bolts M8x30 2 flat washers 8.4 hex. nuts M8

Turn the reflector upside down, re-arrange the foam padding under the aperture and mount : - the 4 swaybar castings, each with eyebolt M20x75 and counter-nut M20 - the 2 support brackets with support plates (inside trapezoidal ring) and handtighten - the elevation flange with stiffening plate (inside trapezoidal ring) and handtighten.

Support brackets left and right : 2 bolts M16x80 2x 1 flat washers 17 2x 1 spring lock washers 16 support plate (inside trapezoidal ring) 2 nuts M16 handtighten

Elevation flange : 8 bolts M12x60 8x2 flat washers 13 stiffening plate (inside trapezoidal ring) 8 sl nuts M12

Eyebolt M20x75 with counter nut M20 handtighten Casting for swaybar Spacer reflector Please note : Mount the outer row of bolts M10x70, when assembling the shroud, see Fig.9

Swaybar castings : 4 bolts M10x70 4x2 flat washers 10.5 4 sl nuts M10

NMT 211-05 (e)

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Attach the 3 ropes of equal lengh from the set of hoisting ropes (supplied with the antenna) to the brackets left and right and to the elevation flange. Insert the 3 feed guy wire assemblies in the reflector and hook them in the center hole. Then hoist the reflector assembly aside.

ropes

Guy wire assemblies : Retainer rod 2 nuts M8 spring 2 flat washers 8.4 spherical washer 26 S-hook

5. Shroud assembly, (only U-and D- types)

Logo at TOP

Spread out the planar radome (logo face down, situated at TOP) onto the plates of the pallets covered with foam.

NMT 211-05 (e)

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Place the shroud panels together in a ring onto the radome, paying attention to the marks 1, 2, 3 (TOP) and 4. Assemble the panels with bolt sets M6x16. Fix the 4 joint angles between the panels on the shroud profile near the radome with bolt sets M6x25. Slide the edge protection for the planar radome onto the upper shroud profile and thus totally cover (360) the sharp edge of the shroud profile. If necessary cut to the right length.
4 joint angles with bolts HM6x25 2 washers 6.4 sl nut M6
4 1

Assemble panels with : Bolts HM6x16 2 washers 6.4 sl nut M6

Edge protection
4 1

TOP

Shroud assembly on the planar radome (absorber not shown)

Mount all retainers for radome support: 2 radome retainers at TOP and bottom, 2 radome retainers 90 apart left and right, 2 radome retainers 45 apart, proceed the same way with all remaining retainers align all springs to length of 135 mm counter all nuts in place.
Radome retainer details : J-bolt Spring Washer 8.4 2 nuts M8 Length of spring aligned to 135mm, then lock the nuts in place

135mm

Mounting the radome retainers

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Apply the RF-gasket tape 360 onto shroud aperture : wire mesh towards the center, flush with shroud edge. Using the crane, lift the reflector towards the shroud and slowly lower it down to the shroud edge covered with RF-gasket tape. Minding TOP, align the mounting holes of the reflector and shroud. Near hoisting eye and swaybar castings : use the outer bolt sets M10x70 for shroud mounting. Mount all bolt sets M8x35, each with 2 washers.

TOP Sl nut M8 2 washers bolt M8x35

Casting for swaybar, 4 pieces Gasket tape

TOP

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6. Feed installation The feed is a precision component which should be handled with special care during installation. For instance, always carry the feed, supporting both ends. Any damage may degrade the antennas performance. Repair of feeds is not possible in the field.
Unpack the waveguide feed, but do not remove the pressure plate(s) from the feed input flange(s). They will be removed when the transmission lines are connected. Determine the feed orientation (polarization), see below.

Horizontal polarization

Vertical polarization

Single polarized waveguide feeds

vertical port

horizontal port

Dual polarized waveguide feeds

Feed orientation in reflector top view

NMT 211-05 (e)

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Rotating ring TOP

Rotating ring

Feed insertion

Insert the feed partway through the center hole of the reflector. Take the 3 guy wires from the center hole and hook them in the rotating ring of the feed. Guy wire springs must be compressed at equal values. The maximum spring contraction during alignment is 5 mm. Please note : spring length + 2 washers = 30 mm before compression. Fully insert the feed and make sure that it fits down in the support ring. Align the TOP matchmarks ! Assemble the clamp brackets provided with bolts and spring washers, while keeping the feed in place, but do not exceed the recommended torque of 5 Nm.
Rotating ring TOP matchmarks

Clamp bracket with : Bolt M6x25 Spring lock washer A6 Torque : 5 NM

Figure 11 : Feed insertion

Waveguide buttonhook

Antenna reflector with feed mounting ring

Pressure plates Feed support plate

NMT 211-05 (e)

Mounting of feed in the reflector

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7. Standard installation
In standard installation, the antenna is mounted with center offset to the right, as described below.

1730

Azimuth pivot (5) support bracket support bracket

Angle bracket Elevation pivot (5)

Triangular frame Pipe 219mm

Swivel mount

294 offset

Standard installation (rear view)

Elevation flange

The inverse installation with offset to the left is also possible. The triangular frame should be rotated 180 (horizontally) and installed as usual.

8. Frame mounting,
Choose the antenna center offset now, offset to the right is described here. Mount the angle bracket very loosely to the swivel mount using 2 bolts sets M12x40, so that movement of the bracket in the long slots is retained. Align the swivel mount with angle bracket to the triangular frame, mount the 3 upper and 3 lower bolt sets M20x80 and handtighten. Tighten the bolt sets M12x40.

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Triangular frame

3 bolts M20x80 3 washers 22 3 spring lock washers 20 3 nuts M20

Angle bracket Swivel mount

2 bolts M12x40 4 washers 13 2 sl nuts M12

3 screws M20x80 3 washers 22 3 spring lock washers 20 3 nuts M20

Assembly of frames (rear view)

Loosen the bolt sets M20x80 again and center with precision the outer upper and lower bolts in the oblong slots, to ensure parallel mounting. Note : Carefully re-check that the swivel mount and the triangular frame are mounted parallel. The parallel mounting of the 2 parts is important to achieve the total azimuth range of 5 later. Handtighten the upper and lower bolt sets M20x80. These bolts should not be operated again, until the installation of the antenna has been completed and fine adjustment of elevation and azimuth have been performed. Mount the azimuth spindle, as below.
Screw M16x60 washer 17

Azimuth Plate spindle M16x240 2 brass nuts M16 2 conical seats D19 2 spherical washers C17

Triangular frame Flat washer 18 (spacer)

parallel

Swivel mount

nut M16 flat washer spring lock washer 16

parallel

AZIMUTH spindle (details) Frames and Azimuth spindle, mounted, rear view

NMT 211-05 (e)

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9.

Final assembly of antenna

Mount the eye of the elevation spindle in the elevation flange, using the bolt set M20x110, and do not forget the 2 sockets ! Seize the frame assembly with the 3 hoisting ropes of equal length, Fig. 2, and hoist the assembly to the reflector. Assemble the ELEVATION spindle to the swivel mount while lowering the frame assembly.

Elevation Plate spindle M16x520 2 brass nuts M16 2 spherical washers C17 2 conical seats D19 Swivel mount Sockets 20/7 screw M20x110 washer 22 spring lock 20 nut M20 elevation flange

Line up the support brackets left and right with the frame, install the bolt sets M24x90 in both brackets and handtighten. If all parts fit correctly, tighten the 2 bolt sets M16x24 in the support brackets.
2 bolt sets M16 Elevation pivots, left and right screw M24x90 spring lock washer 24 washers 25 nut M24

Elevation spindle

2 sockets

2 bolts sets M16

ELEVATION flange

NMT 211-05 (e)

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10. Hoisting on tower

Attach the short rope of the hoisting set to the hoisting eye at TOP, 2 of the 3 ropes of equal length remain in the left and right support brackets. Fasten ropes in the 2 lower swaybar castings, and, using these 2 ropes for optimal balance, slowly lift up the antenna with the crane into upright position. Avoid dragging the shroud edge with radome on the ground !
to crane

Set of hoisting ropes, Figure 2

2 ropes in swaybar castings for optimal balance

11. Installation on tower

When the antenna is hanging free in the hoisting ropes as below, mount the safety collar on the installation pipe ( 219 mm), at the required height and direction and carefully tighten the nuts M16 of the U-bolt. Position the antenna on the safety collar and loosely mount the 2 upper and 2 lower U-bolts M20. Align the antenna as exactly as possible to the specified direction, using a compass, so that later fine adjustment of 5 is possible.

Installation pipe 219 mm

2 U-bolts M20 4 flat washers 22 8 hex. nuts M20 2 U-bolts M20 4 flat washers 22 8 hex. nuts M20

Safety collar, consisting of : antenna support U-bolt M16 2 washers 17 4 nuts M16
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NMT 211-05 (e)

12. Elevation adjustment

Loosen elevation pivots

nut M16 (brass) for fine adjustment Elevation spindle M16x250 Loosen nuts and adjust elevation Counter nut M16 (brass) 2. unscrew 3. counter, after all alignments have been completed

The bolts may be tightened only after all alignments of the antenna have been completed.

13. Azimuth adjustment

Adjustment range : 5
Loosen the 6 bolts (upper and lower)

Bolt set M16x60

azimuth spindle M16x240 Loosen nuts and adjust azimuth

Brass nuts M16 Counter nut M16 released

Please note that fine adjustment of azimuth will lead to minor disadjustment of elevation. Preparations : 5 securely lock in place the brass nuts on both spindles 5 tighten all bolted joints loosened before.
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14. Swaybar assembly

Screw M20x100 Flat washer Spring lock washer 20 Nut M20 handtighten 2 U-bolts M12/60 4 washers 13 4 sl nuts M12 Swaybar clamp With clamp angle Screw M20x50 Spring lock washer 20 Nut M20 Clevis head Bolts M10x80 Washers 10.5 Sl nuts M10 Casting with eyebolt M20x75 counter nut M20

After all fine adjustments have been completed, the installation of the swaybars to tower will follow. The antennas are equipped with 4 swaybars, each mounted in the eyebolts M20x75 with counter nut M20, loosely assembled. Install the bolt set M20x100.

15. Final check

When the installation of the antenna has been completed, it is necessary to insure that the installation instructions have been followed in all aspects. It is especially important to check that all bolted joints are tightly locked. All ropes may then be removed.

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